Police said a passerby spotted the flames in a grassy area behind an abandoned washeteria and called 911.

When firefighters arrived they doused the fire and saw the body, said Sgt. Ely Cisneros of the HPD Homicide Division. The woman, who had not been identified, was beneath debris that had been on fire and she was burned.

Cisneros said it was unclear if she had gunshot or stab wounds or any other injuries. He said the woman may have been killed elsewhere and her body dumped where she was found.

People in the area said the burning body was frightening. They said the spot where the woman was discovered is often frequented by people who appear to be prostitutes and drug users.

Vanessa Branch said she called 911 about the fire. She saw the fire as she was arriving at work and parking her car at an office building across the street from where the body was found. She said the flames were growing and she feared they would get bigger.

"I'm very sacred," Branch said. "It's very dangerous in this neighborhood."

Anyone with information about the case or who may know of a woman who has gone missing recently is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.